{"product_id":"original-british-east-india-company-12th-bengal-irregular-cavalry-percussion-saddle-ring-carbine-by-garden-200-piccadilly-with-white-metal-mounts-circa-1851","title":"Original British East India Company 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine by Garden, 200 Piccadilly, with White Metal Mounts, Circa 1851","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptionally interesting East India Company era percussion cavalry carbine specifically marked to the \u003cstrong\u003eXIITH BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY\u003c\/strong\u003e and retailed by Garden of 200 Piccadilly, London. This distinctive pattern is illustrated in David Harding's \u003cem\u003eSmallarms of the East India Company, Volume 2\u003c\/em\u003e, page 507, and was associated with the arms acquired for the 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry during the early 1850s. Particularly desirable features include the white metal furniture, captured swivel ramrod, saddle ring and bar, approximately .65 caliber bore, twist steel barrel, and explicit regimental lock marking. This example was recovered as part of our 2003 Nepal cache acquisition, giving it an additional layer of provenance extending beyond its already fascinating East India Company service history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe irregular cavalry regiments of the Bengal Army operated under a system quite different from that of standard British cavalry. Their mounted troops supplied much of their own equipment, while officers and regimental authorities obtained suitable arms through the commercial British gun trade. Garden of Piccadilly became particularly associated with arms supplied for Indian cavalry service, and surviving Garden marked carbines and pistols are known with specific Bengal Irregular Cavalry unit markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis carbine carries the correct Garden retailer marking along the top of its twist steel barrel:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eGARDEN, 200, PICCADILLY-LONDON\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGarden was a prominent London military outfitter and arms retailer. Hugh Garden traded from 200 Piccadilly and was succeeded in the business by his son Robert Spring Garden, with the firm supplying firearms, swords, saddlery, and other military equipment during the mid 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than carrying a maker's name, the lock plate is prominently marked to the regiment:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eXIITH BENGAL\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIRREGULAR\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCAVALRY\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis explicit unit marking is one of the most desirable features of the carbine and leaves little doubt as to the organization for which it was supplied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to David Harding's research, this pattern was obtained for the 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry during the early 1850s. Surviving examples associated with the regiment are particularly distinctive for their white metal furniture, contrasting with the brass mounts encountered on some comparable Garden supplied cavalry arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e37\"\u003c\/strong\u003e overall and is fitted with a \u003cstrong\u003e21\"\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel. The smooth bore measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e0.65\"\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemnants of the original proof marks remain visible on the left side of the barrel breech. Immediately forward of the percussion bolster is a faint:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH \u0026amp; S\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003emarking. We have not positively identified its significance and therefore leave it unattributed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine retains its correct captured or swivel mounted ramrod beneath the barrel, an especially practical cavalry feature. The arrangement prevented the ramrod from being dropped or lost while the trooper was loading from horseback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the stock is fitted with the original saddle bar and sliding ring. This allowed the carbine to be attached to the mounted trooper's carbine sling so that, if released, the weapon remained suspended rather than falling to the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth conventional sling swivels are also still present in addition to the saddle ring and bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe white metal furniture has developed a particularly attractive aged surface. The trigger guard and associated fittings have the appearance generally described on surviving examples as German silver or nickel alloy. The butt plate has a somewhat warmer tone and may possibly be brass rather than the same alloy, so we have not attempted to identify its composition definitively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior metalwork has a very pleasing service aged patina, with scattered areas of old peppering that have subsequently been cleaned. We do not see evidence of major deep rusting or destructive corrosion. The carbine has also received sympathetic restoration and cleaning during its long history, leaving it with an attractive and highly displayable appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe percussion lock remains mechanically strong during manual inspection. It holds at full cock and releases correctly. There is, however, an important issue at the half cock position: unusually heavy pressure on the trigger can cause the hammer to release from half cock. The half cock notch therefore should not be regarded as a secure safety position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is in very good condition and has developed an attractive light brown color with particularly pleasing grain. It shows the dents, dings, scratches, and handling wear expected from a cavalry arm that experienced long service, but we do not observe major structural cracks or other significant damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis carbine was recovered as part of our major Nepalese cache acquisition in \u003cstrong\u003e2003\u003c\/strong\u003e. The 12th Bengal Irregular Cavalry itself mutinied at Sugauli during the uprising of 1857 and was subsequently disbanded. The regiment's station lay close to the Nepal frontier, and Nepalese forces were deeply involved in military operations in the region during the uprising. While this broader history provides a plausible context for arms of the regiment eventually reaching Nepal, we do not have documentation tracing this individual carbine from the regiment into Nepal and therefore do not claim a specific route of capture or transfer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its bold \u003cstrong\u003eXIITH BENGAL IRREGULAR CAVALRY\u003c\/strong\u003e lock marking, \u003cstrong\u003eGARDEN, 200, PICCADILLY-LONDON\u003c\/strong\u003e barrel signature, distinctive white metal furniture, captured cavalry ramrod, surviving saddle ring and bar, attractive stock, and documented recovery from the Nepal cache, this is an unusually evocative East India Company cavalry arm. The combination of a specifically identified regiment and a surviving pattern recognized in major East India Company arms references makes it especially desirable for a collection of Anglo-Indian firearms, Bengal Army cavalry equipment, East India Company arms, or weapons associated with the upheaval of 1857.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1851\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .65 inches \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder with Percussion Cap\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBarrel Length: 21 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 37 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Side Action Percussion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46064219422789,"sku":"ON11163","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9A0E6D14-3A99-4EF8-9AFD-E370EFDDC58C.jpg?v=1792439601","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-east-india-company-12th-bengal-irregular-cavalry-percussion-saddle-ring-carbine-by-garden-200-piccadilly-with-white-metal-mounts-circa-1851","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}